5 Simple Yet Essential Tips to Keep Your Email Secure

Email security is becoming increasingly sophisticated in the face of constantly evolving threats from malware, phishing and spam emails. With Google announcing the closure of its Postini email and web security service this year, there became a big need for email users to find a Postini replacement. While the migration to Google apps remains a daunting task. Thankfully there are still simple things you can do to protect yourself, combined with investing in a top-quality email protection service.

1. Find a Postini replacement quickly

With Postini being discontinued by Google, there are a few options in terms of a replacement. Google has rolled up much of the service into its own Google Apps platform so it is possible to migrate to this. For more comprehensive protection though, consider a unified email management solution such as Mimecast, which can provide email security, archiving and protection from email outages. This is an excellent option for businesses seeking a Postini replacement.

2. Have separate email accounts and unique passwords

While most people have a single email account for all of their work and personal correspondence (be it online banking details, website registration information or social network notifications), it is worth considering separate accounts for business and personal email, even after you do find a Postini replacement. With smaller, separate accounts, at least only some of your personal information will be available if your email is hacked. And remember to create unique passwords for each of your email accounts (and a different one again for your online banking). Hackers know that many people use the same password for all accounts so make sure you don’t forget such a quick and easy task as changing your passwords!

3. Don’t click links in email unless you completely trust them

With the continued increase in ever-virulent phishing emails, it is important to think carefully about clicking links in any emails where you are not completely sure who the email is from. With the exception of emails that you are expecting – for instance those that authorise accounts – it is often a good idea to visit websites directly to see the information that the email is directing you to, particularly online banking or financial information, rather than clicking links. Malware and viruses are often at the end of links, even in emails that look entirely convincing in being from a legitimate source.

4. Do not open unsolicited attachments

Another simple tip but people are still getting caught out opening attachments from email senders they don’t know. Even if the email and the content attached seems to be innocent (a JPEG or a GIF), they could be files which instantly download viruses on to your computer. So beware before you click!

5. Never give away passwords or login details

Phishing emails can look incredibly genuine in the way they impersonate banks, Amazon, Facebook and other large sites. Even the websites they will lead you to are increasingly convincing. But there is a simple rule to adhere to: never give out your login or password details over email. Genuine companies will never ask for any such information over email so if you receive an email requesting them, delete it immediately and inform the company it was claiming to be from.

These straightforward tips will ultimately save you time, money and incredible hassle in protecting you against the more sinister email senders out there. A moment of laziness can end in huge annoyance – if not something far worse – so make sure your email is protected and you’re well aware of the risks enabling you to instil good email habits to keep you safe.

There are many ways to protect your personal email, but for those requiring a bigger business-based solution you should look to larger-scale platforms such as Mimecast’s unified email management.

CEO and Founder of Slashsquare, Indian Blog Network and Web Consulting Media. HBB is a part of Slashsquare Network. I'm a Tech Blogger, Striving Entrepreneur, Atheist, and Proud Indian. Catch me on Facebook and Twitter.

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5 Comments

alloune

i too have a separate email account for business and personal…and i think gmail is pretty secure though you cannot just trust it completely because its by google…that’s a very good reason for malicious people to spread their malware too…thinking paradox…always remaining vigilant is the key.

Sandeep Singh

Sai Krishna

Recently google mail got a new feature known as two step verification, it is very very secured and useful for professional bloggers and business persons for whose mail is very important. Thanks to google for such a service.